Starbucks cold brew (grande) has more caffeine than McDonald's brewed coffee: 205mg vs 145mg in the same 16 oz grande. That is a 60mg gap, and since the cans match, the per-serving number is the whole story.
McDonald's brewed coffee vs Starbucks cold brew (grande): the numbers
| McDonald's brewed coffee | Starbucks cold brew (grande) | |
|---|---|---|
| Caffeine per serving | 145mg per 16 oz medium | 205mg per 16 oz grande |
| Caffeine per fl oz | 9.1mg | 12.8mg |
| Servings to reach 400mg (FDA context) | 2.8 | 2.0 |
Sources: McDonald's brewed coffee's figure is verified in our McDonald's brewed coffee caffeine guide against Caffeine Informer (source); Starbucks cold brew (grande)'s figure is verified in our Starbucks cold brew (grande) guide against Starbucks menu data (source).
Which one should you pick?
Pick McDonald's brewed coffee when you want the lighter dose or a slower ramp, and Starbucks cold brew (grande) when you actually need the bigger hit and know your tolerance. If you are stacking either with other caffeinated drinks through the day, run the math against the 400mg reference rather than guessing.
For context, the FDA cites 400mg of caffeine a day as an amount generally not associated with negative effects in healthy adults. Tolerance and health vary, so treat these numbers as information, not advice.
Related reading
- McDonald's brewed coffee: the full caffeine guide
- Starbucks cold brew (grande): the full caffeine guide
- The verified caffeine database
- Every drink compared: the comparisons index
- Compare any two of 120+ drinks
FAQ
Does McDonald's brewed coffee or Starbucks cold brew (grande) have more caffeine? Starbucks cold brew (grande): 205mg per 16 oz grande versus 145mg per 16 oz medium for McDonald's brewed coffee.
Which is stronger per ounce? Starbucks cold brew (grande), at about 12.8mg per fluid ounce versus 9.1mg for McDonald's brewed coffee.
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